Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 1:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 4:08 p.m.

For nearly four decades Russell Lathrope Jr. kept silent about his service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Facts

If you go

What: Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans DayWhen: SaturdayWhere: Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Pavilion at Port Orange, 5511 S. Williamson Blvd., and ends at John E. Mealy Memorial VFW Post 3282, 5810 S. Williamson Blvd. where a ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a flyover at 11:45 a.m. Food and entertainment will be provided until 5 p.m. For more information, call 386-846-0114.

It wasn't until shortly before his death in 2012 that Lathrope opened up to his wife, Wilma Lathrope, about the things he experienced during the war. Like many of the soldiers who served in Vietnam, Lathrope did not want to make himself a target to war protesters who launched verbal assaults and physical threats at service members when they returned home from the war, his wife said.

The Holly Hill resident died in 2012 after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, but on Saturday he will be honored along with all area Vietnam veterans during a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration in Port Orange. The event starts with a parade at 10 a.m. at the Port Orange Pavilion and is followed by speakers, a flyover and entertainment and food at the John E. Mealy Memorial VFW Post at 5810 S. Williamson Blvd. Speakers include Volusia County Councilman Jason Davis, Volusia County Director of Veterans' Service Mike White and State Senator Dorothy Hukill.

During the celebration Wilma Lathrope will receive an American burial flag in her husband's honor. Wilma did not know her husband was eligible for a burial flag at the time of his death.

Wilma met her husband three years after he served in Vietnam, when he was stationed at an Air Force base in Orlando. The couple operated a salvage yard together for nearly two decades close to their home in Holly Hill. Lathrope, 66, said her husband was often nervous and would jump at the slightest sounds. It was only when he was facing death that Lathrope shared some of his experiences in Vietnam, such as encountering small children with weapons.

“To see him come back in that shape after Vietnam just broke my heart and really impacted me,” Lathrope said. “I think he would be very proud to know he's getting the recognition he deserves.”

In 2007 U.S. Congress designated March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” but few observances have been held in Florida since then. VWF Post 3282 Chairman Mark Van Deventer, who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, said he decided to spearhead the inaugural event after hearing about similar celebrations in California. About 500,000 Vietnam veterans live in Florida.

Deventer said he did not feel safe wearing his uniform in public when he returned from war. By hosting the event, he hopes to give some veterans the welcome home they deserved but never had.

“People would cuss and spit and do all kinds of things. In public, we didn't wear our uniforms because we didn't want to provoke people,” Van Deventer said. “That's not the way the military should be. Your service should be an honorable thing.”

The City of Port Orange waived permit fees for the VWF to host the event. All proceeds from the event will go toward Vietnam veterans with needs, including those who are homeless.

“The lack of acknowledgment for what they contributed to this country isn't correct,” Port Orange Mayor Allen Green said. “We need to make sure we take the time and thank them for their contribution.”

<p>For nearly four decades Russell Lathrope Jr. kept silent about his service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. </p><div class="art_item art_item_inset art_item_facts">
<h3>Facts</h3>
<h4>If you go</h4>
<p>What: Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day<br>When: Saturday<br>Where: Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Pavilion at Port Orange, 5511 S. Williamson Blvd., and ends at John E. Mealy Memorial VFW Post 3282, 5810 S. Williamson Blvd. where a ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a flyover at 11:45 a.m. Food and entertainment will be provided until 5 p.m. For more information, call 386-846-0114.</p>
</div>
<p>It wasn't until shortly before his death in 2012 that Lathrope opened up to his wife, Wilma Lathrope, about the things he experienced during the war. Like many of the soldiers who served in Vietnam, Lathrope did not want to make himself a target to war protesters who launched verbal assaults and physical threats at service members when they returned home from the war, his wife said. </p><p>The Holly Hill resident died in 2012 after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, but on Saturday he will be honored along with all area Vietnam veterans during a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration in Port Orange. The event starts with a parade at 10 a.m. at the Port Orange Pavilion and is followed by speakers, a flyover and entertainment and food at the John E. Mealy Memorial VFW Post at 5810 S. Williamson Blvd. Speakers include Volusia County Councilman Jason Davis, Volusia County Director of Veterans' Service Mike White and State Senator Dorothy Hukill. </p><p>During the celebration Wilma Lathrope will receive an American burial flag in her husband's honor. Wilma did not know her husband was eligible for a burial flag at the time of his death. </p><p>Wilma met her husband three years after he served in Vietnam, when he was stationed at an Air Force base in Orlando. The couple operated a salvage yard together for nearly two decades close to their home in Holly Hill. Lathrope, 66, said her husband was often nervous and would jump at the slightest sounds. It was only when he was facing death that Lathrope shared some of his experiences in Vietnam, such as encountering small children with weapons. </p><p>“To see him come back in that shape after Vietnam just broke my heart and really impacted me,” Lathrope said. “I think he would be very proud to know he's getting the recognition he deserves.” </p><p>In 2007 U.S. Congress designated March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” but few observances have been held in Florida since then. VWF Post 3282 Chairman Mark Van Deventer, who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, said he decided to spearhead the inaugural event after hearing about similar celebrations in California. About 500,000 Vietnam veterans live in Florida. </p><p>Deventer said he did not feel safe wearing his uniform in public when he returned from war. By hosting the event, he hopes to give some veterans the welcome home they deserved but never had. </p><p>“People would cuss and spit and do all kinds of things. In public, we didn't wear our uniforms because we didn't want to provoke people,” Van Deventer said. “That's not the way the military should be. Your service should be an honorable thing.” </p><p>The City of Port Orange waived permit fees for the VWF to host the event. All proceeds from the event will go toward Vietnam veterans with needs, including those who are homeless. </p><p>“The lack of acknowledgment for what they contributed to this country isn't correct,” Port Orange Mayor Allen Green said. “We need to make sure we take the time and thank them for their contribution.”</p><br>